Many car enthusiasts are saying that the Nissan Murano crossover is sensual, smart and fun to drive.  It is derived from the front-engine, front dirve platform used by the sucessful Altima Sedan.  This new Murano respresents the automaker's best thinking in the development of this sophisticated vehicle that most Americans are going nuts about.

The Murano is known to receive various enhancements.  Last year, it received exterior design updates: a new wheel design and restyled front grille, brushed aluminum rear bumper  protector and roof rail, fog lamp rings, LED rear combination lamps and chrome accent side sills and lower front bumper.  In 2007, the Murano gains a standard tire pressure monitoring system.  It is powered by a version of the automaker's award winning 3.5L V-6 engine and bolted to an Xtronic continuously variable transmission.  Xtronic keeps the engine in its most efficient reange by "shifting through a near-infinite number of rations.  If you are driving this Murano, you will not fee the normal progression of torque shifts from rest to speed.  You will appreciate the seamless rush of power at all speeds that is available immediately as a result of this technology. 

All-wheel drive models are equipped with an automatic system that can switch seamlessly between two-and-all-wheel drive.  That will give you control whenever needed.  If you find yourself in a condition that requires greater control in certain terrain, AWD can be locked on by pressing the AWD lock button. 

If you are impressed yet, consider the following:  The interior of the Murano is all about style and particular taste.  You want to peek inside the cabin to see the beauty of the Murano.  This Murano is about style, function, storage and convenience.  You and your passengers are trated to a modern rendition of interior design t hat reflects intelligent layout with flawless execution.  The type of visibility you can enjoy in the Murano reminds me of the Honda Accord's wide expanse of space. 

Defintely, the Murano is an SUV to have and own. 

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If you are looking for comfort and space in a new family sedan, you should think about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. In fact, GM has done a good job of packaging lots of space in this car for passengers and luggage. Just take a look at the interior of the Malibu, you'll discover how attractive it is. And if you want a little more, you can always look at the Malibu Maxx.

Over the past few months, I had the opportunity of testing many cars. The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu sticks in my mind. The following review is the result of my test driving the top LT model.

What's hot about this car? What are some of the specs you may want to keep in mind?

The Malibu LT V-6 is powered by 3.5-liter, transmission: 4-speed automatic with manumatic shifting. If power is important to you, you will be happy to know that the 3.1-liter V-6 was put aside. It comes equipped witth he factory remote starting device. If you are getting ready to leave, you can remotely start the car to get it warm. This can be done while its doors are locked. I found the climate control to be running at full-blast until I unlocked and turned the car on.

This top model also comes equipped with OnStar Safe and Sound system. For this, you will have to pay about $700 for the hardware and $16.95 for the first-year subscription. Just imagine for a minute what this system can do for you and your family in case you get involved in an accident. The OnStar company reports that after any crash, its operators are able to receive data from onboard sensors to determine the accident's severity. This way, they can inform the local emergency responders. In other words, wherever you go, you can be sure to have help right in your car. That's besides all the cell phones you may be carrying around. If you start getting panicked, don't think the engineers of this car left anything to hazards.

The Chevrolet Malibu comes equipped with dual-stage front airbags, curtain bags and seatbelt pretensioners. Your family is your precious cargo. The Chevrolet Malibu's chassis is superb. The ride was mostly uneventful and quiet. The LT model is also equipped with GM-bragging right NU Epsilon architecture. This is as solid a car you can get for this amount of money.

The LT models offer enough legroom and headroom. If you want to haul long items, the Malibu allows you to do so with the 60/40-split folding rear seat and a fold-flat front-passenger seat. My test-driving model comes equipped with the P215/60SR-16 tires. The Bridgestone Insignias are built for a smooth ride. On the freeways, the acceleration was great. And so was the visibility.

What are some of the Malibu's competitors?

Of course, if you are thinking about a family sedan, you will have access to many choices. After all, competition is great for us, consumers. Some of the top competitors are familiar names. They are the Toyota camry and Honda Accord vehicles that take over our roads. In addition, you will have the 2004 Hyundai XG350 4 Dr Sedan, 2004 Buick Regal LS 4 Dr Sedan, 2004 Buick Centur 4 Dr Sedan. To this list, I would add the hot and fuming Passat. For some reasons, consumers who fit into some economic brackets tend to turn to this European jewel of a car.

Other Accessories:

Power Windows, driver seat, locks, remote locking, A/C, cruise control, tilting, telescoping steering wheel and rear defroster, CD player, 6 speaker, AM/FM satellite sound System.

Onestop shop Shopnowshopping

Parked outside the garage after a short trip to the local movie theater, the new red 2005 Mustang's engine was left running. The car had already attracted the curious stop-by of the young, testosterone-driven men of the neighborhood. My best friend was talking to me in the garage. She was telling me about the car and offered to let me test-drive as a way to take me out of my routine. As I went inside to grab a windbreaker, she said that she was soon becoming the hottest thing at her university. The football as well as the basketball players have been leaving notes stuck on the windshield wipers. Phone numbers and offers of dates are the lot of her school days. I teased her a little bit about her steady boyfriend who is a good buddy of mine. I kissed my wife a quick goodbye and took my baby boy with us.

By then, the neighborhood's young kids had started a pick/up basketball game on the cul-de-sac. I know all of them and their parents. They know cars and always talked to me about their dream cars. I told them that I am not a Ford car enthusiast, but that I would go for one of the Ford muscle cars any time. These young men had been anticipating the arrival of the hot 2005 Mustang. They've read about it in the car magazines and seen it on TV and movie theaters. Before getting into the car, I approached two of them who were watching the game. Soon thereafter, we were surrounded by two teams of ball players wanting to ask specific questions to my friend, the owner of the car.

What other cars does the new 2005 Ford Mustang remind you of?

There is a list of cars that always make me stop to inspect. I imagine that I am not the only person who appreciates great cars. Just think about the Camaro, Javelin, Firebird, Mach 1, Baracuda and Challenger. There is no doubt that the Mustang figures among this list. It's one of the Ford vehicles I have always been a fan of. This car continues to wow enthusiasts and competitors alike. Ford's engineers and design team know what they are working. They know its pedigree and illustrous lineage. When I first saw this Mustang, I immediately thought about the 1965 Shelby, 1967-1968, the 1969-1970 Boss, 1969 Mach 1, the original Bullitt Mustang. In fact, I was right. This new Mustang borrows bits of details from various Ford's famous siblings or predecessors.

Let's look at the parts we are familiar with

Take a look at the grille-mounted foglights, you will be transported back to the 1968 Shelby GT and 1969 Mach 1. As far as the rear quarter window in this new Mustang, it evokes the 1966 Shelby fastback. There is more borrowing in this car. Take a look at the twin-canopied dashboard, what does it remind you of? the 1965 model should come to mind. Ford decided to equip the Mustang with a 300-horse SOHC V-8 engine. It is reported that the three-valve design tends to maximize torque, emissions compliance and cost containment. I will let one of the creators of this car explain it, "there are three real drivers on this car," said Martens. "The first is torque and refinement. It has a nicer, and boarder torque curve than the two-valve version. The second is efficiency, from a combustion/emissions standpoint and in terms of fuel economy."

The 2005 Ford Mustang's powertrain layout is comparable with any fancy sports car: 2 doors, 5 passenger coupe. It has front and rear suspension and sports MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; live axle, anti-roll bar. It comes with dual front and front side airbags. It has a longer wheelbase to accommodate tall guys and girls. You can have comfortable seating in the front and rear. On the instrument panel, the driver can choose the gauge lighting.

How did my test-drive go? What do I like about the 2005 Mustang?

First, its presence is encapsulating; it pulls you in. It's crying "see me here. I am here." The first area you will concentrate on is the front end. From that angle, you will get a good feel of the car.

Second, the car was very responsive on the freeway. The acceleration came naturally. There is no doubt that the 2005 model will propel Ford to the foreground of the American consumer.

If you are looking for a car for your teenage son or daughter, you can make converts out of them. It's an instant classic.